Tag

Adolescent Development

All articles tagged with #adolescent development

Classrooms Signal a Shift: Platonic Touch Among Straight Boys on the Rise
lifestyle9 days ago

Classrooms Signal a Shift: Platonic Touch Among Straight Boys on the Rise

Teachers report a rise in platonic affectionate touching among straight high‑school boys, which disrupts classes. The phenomenon is framed as part of a broader cultural shift away from homophobia, with Gen Z more open to male closeness and affection. Some educators cite a developmental need for physical contact during adolescence, while researchers note increasing acceptance of LGBTQ identities, which lowers the social cost of such behavior. The trend is being explored by sociologists and psychologists as part of how boys’ behavior and friendships are evolving.

"Xanax Exposure in Adolescence Heightens Brain Sensitivity to Opioids"
health2 years ago

"Xanax Exposure in Adolescence Heightens Brain Sensitivity to Opioids"

A study on male mice found that adolescent exposure to alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax, increased sensitivity to opioids like morphine even after the drug exposure ceased. This highlights potential long-term consequences of using certain medications during critical developmental stages, particularly in adolescents. The research revealed lasting neurobiological changes in the brain's reward processing areas, indicating enhanced sensitivity to opiates. The study underscores the need for awareness of the dangers of long-term drug use during brain maturation and aims to better understand the neurobiological causes of drug addiction for developing more effective treatment strategies.

The Power of Parental Engagement in Teen Development
psychology2 years ago

The Power of Parental Engagement in Teen Development

A recent study conducted in Switzerland highlights the significant role of parental involvement in shaping adolescent development. The research found that parental engagement, including open communication and support, increases prosocial behavior in teens but does not necessarily decrease internalizing problems like anxiety and depression. The study challenges previous assumptions by revealing a two-way relationship between prosocial behavior and internalizing problems. Additionally, the findings emphasize the importance of parental involvement throughout adolescence and its positive impact on self-control development. However, the study's limitations, such as its focus on a specific cultural context and reliance on self-reported data, suggest the need for further research in diverse populations using alternative data collection methods.